Literary Lunches at Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill

Neil Gaiman to host Literary Lunch on Friday 11 October 2013 with readings from latest novel, Fortunately, the Milk

Following on from the success of the first Literary Lunch with acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo, The Savoy will welcome author Neil Gaiman on 11th October to host the second in the series, taking place in Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill. Lunch will begin at 12:30pm, and tickets will be priced at £47, including a three-course meal with wine. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Neil Gaiman after the lunch, who will welcome questions and sign copies both old and new.

Neil Gaiman has written highly acclaimed books for both children and adults and is the first author to have won both the Carnegie and Newbery Medals for the same work – The Graveyard Book. Many of his books, including Coraline and Stardust, have been made into films. He has also written two episodes of Doctor Who (one of which won a Hugo Award) and appeared as himself in The Simpsons.

Neil will read from his new book, Fortunately, the Milk and will talk about the inspiration behind his writing. Aimed at adults, Neil’s Literary Lunch will highlight the importance of children’s books having a place not only for children but for adults too.

Further Literary Lunches will take place throughout 2013 and 2014, with the next hosted on 3rd December by Fay Weldon (CBE), the award-winning author, essayist and playwright. Weldon, who is a former writer-in-residence at The Savoy, has written over 30 novels, including the Love & Inheritance Trilogy and Kehua!, and is famed for her works that frequently focus on contemporary women and their position in society.

Fortunately, the Milk is Neil Gaiman’s silliest story yet. It is the story of a dad’s trip to the shops, a trip that takes in alien invasions, time-travelling dinosaurs, angry volcano gods and a very important pint of milk. Be swept along on an adventure that will have children of all ages (and lots of childish grown-ups) laughing with glee as Dad tries to get the milk home...and possibly save the universe along the way.

Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and GrillThe opening of Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill is one of the most exciting restaurant launches in the hotel’s 124-illustrious history. Located in the heart of London and with panoramic views of the River Thames and London landmarks, Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill is an informal yet luxury dining experience, presented in an elegant Twenties-style setting. The vibrant new design evokes The Savoy's rich and glamorous past, whilst creating a sought after but relaxed and family friendly dining environment, where Kaspar, The Savoy's most famous four legged feline now resides.

About KasparKaspar: the three foot high cat was sculpted in 1926 by British Basil Ionides to stave off bad luck, following the death of South African diamond magnate Woolf Joel in 1898. The story has it that Joel held a dinner at The Savoy for fourteen guests and one cancelled at the last minute. The dinner continued, but one superstitious guest announced that death would come to the first person to leave the unlucky table of thirteen. Joel took that gamble and a few weeks later he was shot dead in Johannesburg. To avoid a repeat performance and damaging its reputation, The Savoy offered a member of staff to sit amongst tables of thirteen thereafter. Unable to discuss private matters or feel at ease, this proved to be unpopular with guests and thus, in a stroke of genius, Kaspar was born.For almost 90 years The Savoy has been more than happy to oblige parties of thirteen with Kaspar's company, whereby he joins in with napkin around the neck and a full place setting to 'enjoy' every course. Winston Churchill, who adored Kaspar, insisted that the cat join him with his The Other Club meetings, a political dining club Churchill founded in 1911, and to this date the hotel's most famous four-legged resident has never missed a meeting.

Additional information:

Children will be welcome (though best suited from eight years of age) with tickets priced at £29, including a two course lunch, soft drink, and goodie bag containing a signed book and chocolate gift.

Fortunately, the Milk written by Neil Gaiman, published by Bloomsbury Childrens, £10 hard back.

Former writers in residence at The Savoy include Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde, Fay Weldon, Henry Fielding and Kathy Lette.

Kaspar's Seafood Bar and Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days week. Pre-theatre and children's menu also available